Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup November 28th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

National MS Society – Group Riding Skills Course
When:     12.07.2013 09:00 – 12:00 and 12.07.2013 14:00 – 17:00
Location:     National Oilwell Varco, 7909 Parkwood Cirlce Drive, Houston, Texas 77036
The Groupd Riding Skills Course is conducted by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). The LAB is the Society’s education partner and a national organization dedicated to cycling, cycling advocacy and cycling education. This course is designed to give you the principles of group riding so you can safely enjoy riding in the BP MS 150 and other group rides. Cost is…

National MS Society – Group Riding Skills Course
When:     01.04.2014 09:00 – 12:00 and 01.04.2014 14:00 – 17:00
Location:     National Oilwell Varco, 7909 Parkwood Circle Drive, Houston, Texas 77036…

Texas Record
by 10 Wheels        www.bikeforums.net
Dear Dex,
Congratulations! Your record is now officially certified by Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) as follows:
Dex Tooke, 63, Del Rio, Texas
Standard Bike
Texas, North-South (long route)
Using previously established endpoints
Nov 11-13, 2013
2 Days 16 Hrs 32 Min (2:16:32)
873.2 Miles
13.53 mph average speed Officials: Doug Hoffman, Daniel Sanchez
Crew: Joni Tooke, Kalleen Whitford, Kevin Jones, Leah Folsom
Note: This is an EPIC ride! Simply riding within Texas is longer than…

NICA High School Cycling News Round-up – November 28, 2013
By: Paul Skilbeck            www.cyclingnews.com
It is never quiet in the NICA community. With spring and fall season leagues, activities take place 12 months a year. With the fall leagues just having concluded, spring season leagues in NorCal, SoCal, New York and Texas are busy with recruitment, which often has the effect of converting non-cycling families into cycling families. As of December 1, student athletes will start getting into the rhythm of skill acquisition and fitness training, so if not already prepared they will be ready to start racing come spring.

Activity has also been focused on NICA’s own version of the Academy Awards. Called simply “The NICA Awards”, this is a way to acknowledge and…

Happy Thanksgiving from Bike Friendly Richardson

Jenny’s Neighborhood ! Bicycle Safety Game For Kids
bicycleaustin.info

BikeTexas and TxDOT Safe Routes to School present Jenny’s Neighborhood, a fun & educational game that teaches basic bicycle safety skills to prepare kids for a safe and active summer!

Jenny’s Neighborhood is part of the pilot program Texas in Motion that offers digital bike safety education for kids.

Texas in Motion is a suite of digital learning tools for 4th-6th grade, created with funding from the Safe Routes to School program of the Texas Department of Transportation. Texas in Motion satisfies…

Tweets

 

Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup November 27th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I don’t know where bicyclists ride in south Texas but the gravel roads might be a problem.

South Texas County Gets Off TxDOT’s Gravel List
by Aman Batheja        The Texas Tribune
A South Texas county at the center of the Eagle Ford Shale drilling boom has worked out an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to avoid the conversion of 20 miles of its paved roads to gravel.
In July, TxDOT released a list of 83 miles of paved roads that it intended to convert to gravel, including portions of FM 469 and FM 3408 in La Salle County. The news angered local officials and residents. TxDOT officials argued that the agency lacked the resources to maintain the roads, which were wearing out too quickly amid a surge in truck traffic tied to energy exploration.
Under a deal announced Wednesday, TxDOT will cover the cost of labor to repair the portions of FM 469 and FM 3408 while the county will pay for the materials. The county has also…

A damaged portion of the IH 37 frontage road, south of FM 99 in Live Oak County, Texas on Friday, August 16, 2013. The road is on a list of roads that the Texas Department of Transportation has announced will be converted to gravel because the agency lacks funds to keep them maintained at a safe level.

Back in the Saddle Again
Southwest CycleSport Musings
“I’m back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly gypsum weed
Back in the saddle again”
“Back in the Saddle Again” was the signature song of Gene Autry , was co-written by Autry and  Ray Whitley and fist released in 1939.
As October and November roll around each year, my enthusiasm to get out on the bike starts to wain. Each year I try to use this time to recover from a long summer and seriously ease up on the riding.  This year I agreed to race the Two Man Time Trial at the Tour de Gruene which was on Sunday November 9th so my recovery period began a bit late.  I kept up the training through the event and…

Drew Hodgdon- Epic Bike Rider
As Heard On MaD Radio

Former Texan’s center Drew Hodgdon joined MaD Radio and they go over the worst moments in offensive line history, Drew’s terrifying biking experience, and so much more.

Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanc­ed Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills
Houston Cycling Club
Tuesday, December 10, 2013        6:15 PM
15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, Te (map)

Look for group and ask if it’s us! call me, Jeff @ [masked] if you have any questions or are going to be late.

This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there

Reveille Peak 100, COLD! Time to HTFU!
www.turnincranks.com

No time to do a proper race vid before the holidays so I leave you with David O’s thoughts on the cold and the race at Reveille Peak this weekend.

Tweets

https://twitter.com/DrewiferdLee/status/405831042944471040

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/405732637601710080

Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup November 26th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Johnson Branch Trail Report
www.texasmountainbiketrails.com

Another piece of gold from a local rider here in DFW, this time Ross Thompson gives his thoughts on the Johnson Branch trail system off of Lake Ray Roberts north of Denton. This is a killer trail up north with beautiful and scenic camping and boating. It also does very well with rain.

The Johnson Branch State Park mountain bike trail is located 25 miles North of Denton, TX on the North side of Lake Ray Roberts. For a detailed trail map, go to:
http://www.ntmbp.org/maps/Johnson%20Branch%20Ride%20Map%2020130307.pdf.

This heavily treed trail has it all, with beautiful scenery, tight tree-gates, sandy sections in turns, fallen logs, rocky climbs & descents, and climbing switchbacks. The trail will be lots of fun for intermediate and…

Mostyn Law Firm Begins Planning for 2014 MS 150
PRWEB.COM Newswire
Houston, Texas
The Houston, Texas-based Mostyn Law Firm hosted a fundraising event for its MS 150 team this past Friday.
The event sought to organize future fundraisers to support the Firm’s team for the upcoming MS 150 bike ride this April. Employees of the Firm and supporters were asked to join the team or help organize a fundraising event, such as a bake sale, silent auction, or a garage sale. Funds from these events will be included with money donated by Steve and Amber Mostyn, the Firm’s owners. All proceeds will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to help advance MS research.
“We look forward to the MS 150 ride every year,” said Amber Mostyn. “The work done by the…

Winter Holidays and Over Indulgence
By Ray Garza        RGV Cycling
Winter is upon us and so are the holidays. Since Halloween, the weeks have flown by and now Thanksgiving is knocking at the door. Like everyone else, family comes into town along with cold weather. Food is the comfort for all, including me. This year I don’t want to succumb to the wintry days and the over indulgence on food.
This time around I want to continue my cycling as I chase my 4000 miles for the year.To some, 4000 miles is nothing and to others it’s a huge hill to climb. It’s all relevant to the person putting in the effort. I’m not far away from my goal. As of this posting, I’m less than 300 miles. Old man winter has shown up and has slowed the march to 4k.
This time around I feel that I’m better prepared. I just had two outing’s at 45 F temps that were successful in keeping me warm or at least warm enough. I pulled out my leg…

Wednesday Urban Ride – The UBG Cycling Club
The regular Wednesday evening ride is an Urban Road Ride that leaves from Urban Bicycle Gallery at 6:30pm. The route is downtown and is around 20-23miles with the average of 18mph. Please have a light on the front and back of your bike. Helmet required. Rides will be cancelled if the weather conditions are rainy, or icy (when in doubt call the store).
When: December 25, 2013 06:30 PM
Where: 4814 Nett St. Houston, TX 77007

Waco Bicycle Club
Monthly Club Meeting
Location: Uncle Dan’s BBQ
Description: Uncle Dan’s is located at 1001 Lake Air Dr. Come early to hang out, socialize and eat some really good BBQ

Houston embraces multi-modal transportation solution
BikeHouston.org
America’s 4th largest city invests in its bicyclists and pedestrians

What does it mean to be multi-modal? For Houston, it means economic opportunity and new construction now…and 7 miles of paths, 10 miles of on-street bikeways, 11 miles of sidewalks, and 6 miles of pedestrian enhancements in the future.

That’s thanks to the city’s “Regional Bike/Pedestrian Connections to Transit” project, which broke ground today. I was in Houston for the event and had the pleasure of…

November 30th and December 1st Rides
Steiner Ranch Cycling
RECAP LAST WEEKEND
Saturday ride was cancelled due to wet roads, rain and frigid temperatures.

Sunday ride was cancelled due to wet roads, rain and frigid temperatures.

Since all rides were cancelled this past weekend let’s try the same routes out this weekend.   The extended looks good with temps in the 60’s / 70’s.   I hope everyone has a great Turkey Day!

STRAVA HIGHLIGHTS
The Strava highlights for last week by category are as follows (need to ride over 75 miles in the week to be included in stats below):

Distance            Jeff D.                    75.9   Miles
Mountain Goat       David A.                    2,359 Feet
Speed Demon         Jeff D.                    18.2 Mph over 76 Total Miles

NEXT WEEKENDS RIDES

AVERY RANCH ROUTE – Saturday November 30th at 8:30am at Cups & Cones

On Saturday the Steiner Ranch Cycling Group will be heading out for an approximately 55+ mile bike ride that will roll out from Cups & Cones at 8:30 am morning and we will head out to AVERY RANCH and head back via Crystal Falls.

The ride is going to be fairly flat and fast.  But we deserve flat after…

STCC Cranksgiving Ride
Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
Yes, Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and we know you’re trying calculate some excuse for downing the turkey, ham, dressing – wait, don’t forget the PIES!  So many calories and absolutely no excuse for you to eat…eat…eat…

Unless…   You join us Thanksgiving for our annual morning outing, the Cranksgiving.  We’re planning three pace groups, all doing from 35-40 miles.  We’ll have you back in time to…

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

 

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup November 25th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Texas Cup Action – Georgetown Cyclocross Festival
www.txbra.org

Race Director of the Georgetown Cyclocross Festival and Founder of Cyclocross Project 2015 kids cyclocross program, Rolando Roman, gets the U10 racers ready!

Tech named bicycle-friendly campus
By BLAKE URSCH        lubbockonline.com
A sign greets cars leaving the Texas Tech campus from Memorial Circle; “Share the Road,” it reads.

On Monday, Nov. 25, officials from Tech Transportation and Parking Services received an award from the League of American Bicyclists, honoring the school as a bronze Bicycle-Friendly University.

Craig Cotton, transportation demand manager with parking services, said Tech is one of about 75 universities nationwide to receive this…

Bicycle Escorts Needed at the Dallas Marathon
Greater Dallas Bicyclists
The Dallas Marathon is Sunday, December 8, and we need bicycle escorts for the athletes in the Wheelchair Division.

The escorts are very important when the athletes are going downhill, silently, at 20+ miles an hour. The escorts have whistles and move the runners out of the way. They also change flat tires and offer encouragement on uphill sections. There are openings for both the Half and Full Marathon. (13.1 miles and 26.2 miles)

Escorts will receive free parking near the start line and a big sense of accomplishment. Wheelchairs and their escorts get a five minute head start.  We will e-mail you a parking map.

We also need riders to accompany the…

Oasis Adventures – Lone Star Cyclists
Pace: Touring with a Fast Pace Option (Touring is a varied pace with frequent stops averaging 12-15 mph)
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2013 – 8:00am
Location: The Oasis / Lynn Creek Marina, Joe Pool Lake, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie

Distances: 29 and 50 Miles

Since the weather didn’t cooperate last weekend, let’s try again this Thanksgiving weekend.
These routes will take us east of…

RACE REPORT – Highlander Cross Cup
The Violet Crown Sports Association
Saturday, November 23, 2013
John Bartle

It’s worth a drive to Waco to ride a Kevin Fawley designed CX course: up-hill 180 right after the start straight, slanting section leading to a steep off-camber, asphalt section through the finish line, a fast sloped grass section, sweeping bend, U-ye, followed by a grip-your –bars- then your brakes to be spit out onto the low part of the circuit which is exited by a genuine bike over the shoulder run-up – and that is less than half the course. It was not overly technical, i.e. twisty, but there was plenty of room for mistakes, especially with increasing pace – as I was later to demonstrate (demonstrate mistakes, that is, not so much increasing pace).

The race fortunately did not start in the downpour that was experienced during the drive but the wetness made for a rapidly slickening parcours. The corners soon developed ruts and what was…

1st annual BE KIND Fall Classic Ride Photo Gallery
November 16th

Violet Crown Sports Association Ride
Thanksgiving Day ride this Thursday morning at Thunderbird Coffee, Koenig/ Woodrow, 8:30 rollout. The plan is to be back by 11am.

Reveille Peak 100k – Race Report
www.turnincranks.com

Reveille Peak Ranch, our own little mini-Moab nestled right here in the Texas Hill Country is a truly unique riding experience, particularly here in Texas. While there isn’t a lot of elevation, the trail itself climbs and saunters over granite slick rock the likes you cannot find for a thousand miles. It’s pure fun!

I love riding out at RPR so the opportunity to do a mountain bike race there made this a must do event!

100k of riding RPR solo is pretty much out of the question for me. I tapped Kirby W. to…

Where Do Our Mountain Bike Trails Come From?
www.texasmountainbiketrails.com
You’re smart and you know that they aren’t magically created by a trail fairy while we sleep. It takes lots of hard work from volunteers, hundreds of man hours to build and keep a trail usable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I5c_ixGYYE&feature=player_embedded
Last Sunday three trails had a big work day around the metroplex. Erwin Park, Boulder Park and Frisco NW Community Trail and I’m sure that there were other trails in the area that had workdays as well.

But, between just those three trails there were 47 individuals that gave up their Sunday morning to move dirt, trim trees, and create new trail where there was none before. In all over 15,000 pounds of dirt was moved via buckets and…

Meet a #TXCX Local – Fred Schmid aka Captain America
Minor Baker            texascx.com
Wow, what a weekend in Waco!

If you didn’t race this weekend you missed out on a sloppy slugfest.
Fighting for America and CX glory.

This week we sat down with a local favorite and all around badass, Fred Schmid. Fred is the only Texan to currently wear the Stars and Stripes of the National Champion in cyclocross.

What are you riding this year?

I ride a Redline Conquest Team with Shimano Ultrega 10-speed, HED Ardenes wheels with Clement PDX tubulars.

Besides riding for your country, what team are you riding for this year.< …

Tweets